18 Days Tanzania and Uganda Safari
Are you dreaming of an unforgettable safari that combines both Uganda and Tanzania? Look no further than the 18 Days Tanzania and Uganda Safari. During this safari, you will hike Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain, experience the great wildebeest migration and track gorillas and chimpanzees. It is a blend of both savannah and forest experiences. Below is a summary of the 18 Days Tanzania and Uganda Safari.
Safari Summary
- Day 1: Arrival and Overnight in Arusha
- Days 2 to 4: Kilimanjaro trek
- Day 5: Relaxation in Arusha
- Day 6: Transfer to Tarangire National Park and Evening Game Drive
- Day 7: Morning Game Drive in Tarangire, Mto wa Mbu Cultural Tour and Overnight in Karatu
- Day 8: Explore Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Day 9: Transfer to Serengeti evening Game Drive
- Day 10: Full-day in Serengeti National Park
- Day 11: Transfer to Arusha for a flight to Uganda
- Day 12: Transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day: 13: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Community Tour
- Day 14: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Evening Game Drive
- Day 15: Morning Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Day 16: Ishasha Sector and Transfer to Bwindi
- Day 17: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 18: Transfer to Entebbe or Kigali (Rwanda) and Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Overnight in Arusha
Upon arrival in Tanzania, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to Arusha, where you’ll settle in for the night. This first day is intentionally unhurried – an opportunity to rest, enjoy a light orientation briefing, and prepare for the trek ahead. Overnight in Arusha.
Days 2 to 4: Kilimanjaro Trek
Over the next three days, the trekking group begins the Kilimanjaro journey while one guest remains in Arusha. The trek days are paced to match the rhythm of altitude gain – enjoying scenic routes, learning the basics of mountain living, and taking in changing landscapes as the air cools and views open up. Each day includes time for hiking, breaks for acclimatisation, and evening recovery at camp or lodge accommodations.
Day 5: Relaxation in Arusha
With the trekking for your group underway or completed, Day 5 becomes a full recovery and relaxation day. You’ll enjoy a slower morning and downtime in Arusha—perfect for recharging after the trek, reviewing photos and highlights, and enjoying warm meals and comfortable rest before the safari portion begins. Overnight remains in Arusha.
Day 6: Transfer to Tarangire National Park and Evening Game Drive
After breakfast, you’ll transfer from Arusha to Tarangire National Park. As the afternoon begins to soften, you’ll head out for an evening game drive, searching for Tarangire’s signature wildlife—especially elephants and other large animals that gather near water sources. The day closes with the excitement of first sightings and the golden-hour atmosphere of the savannah. Overnight in the Karatu area (or nearby accommodations, depending on your lodge placement).
Day 7: Morning Game Drive in Tarangire, Mto wa Mbu Cultural Tour, Overnight in Karatu
Day 7 starts early with a morning game drive in Tarangire, when animals are often most active and the landscape is at its clearest and most vibrant. After the drive, you’ll shift into a cultural experience in Mto wa Mbu, where you can learn about local life through guided community visits and demonstrations. The day ends back in the Karatu area for a comfortable overnight, with time to enjoy the local scenery and relax.
Day 8: Explore Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Today you’ll venture into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, an iconic landscape shaped by dramatic geological features and rich biodiversity. You’ll explore the area at a comfortable pace, stopping for viewpoints, photo moments, and opportunities to learn about the region’s conservation story and wildlife patterns. The day is designed to feel both adventurous and immersive—moving between scenic stops and meaningful experience points. Overnight in the Karatu area or nearby, depending on your itinerary.
Day 9: Transfer to Serengeti (Evening Game Drive)
After breakfast, you’ll travel onward toward Serengeti National Park. By late afternoon, you’ll enter the park for an evening game drive, when animals settle into nighttime routines and predators may become more visible. Serengeti evenings are especially memorable – vast plains, deepening skies, and the anticipation that comes with first full-safari days in this legendary ecosystem. Overnight inside or near Serengeti, depending on your lodge location.
Day 10: Full-Day in Serengeti National Park
Day 10 is your full Serengeti experience. You’ll spend the day on game drives, moving strategically with the help of your guide to maximize sightings and share the best opportunities for wildlife photography and up-close observations. This is the day for classic Serengeti moments—watching herds move across the plains, observing predator activity if conditions align, and taking in the scale of the landscape. You’ll return for an evening rest at your lodge, reflecting on the day’s highlights. Overnight in Serengeti.
Day 11: Transfer to Arusha for a Flight to Uganda
After breakfast, you’ll transfer back to Arusha in preparation for your flight to Uganda. This day focuses on smooth logistics: ensuring you have time for check-in, travel comfort, and a calm transition from the Tanzania safari to your next country adventure. Upon arrival in Uganda, you’ll settle in based on the arrival arrangements and onward plans.
Day 12: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Today you’ll travel to Kibale National Park, Uganda’s famous home of chimpanzees and other primates. The journey gives you time to settle in and begin building anticipation for the forest experiences ahead. Once you arrive, you’ll check in and enjoy a relaxed evening – perfect for resting before the trekking begins. Overnight near Kibale.
Day 13: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Community Tour
Your day begins with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, guided by experienced trackers who help you follow the signs of the primates through the forest. When you finally locate the chimpanzees, the experience is thrilling and unforgettable—watching their natural behavior in a living, breathing rainforest setting. Later, you’ll enjoy the Bigodi Community Tour, where you can learn about local conservation efforts and observe community life in and around the forest. The day balances wildlife wonder with meaningful cultural connection. Overnight in the Kibale area.
Day 14: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Evening Game Drive
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. As the day progresses, you’ll be introduced to another rich ecosystem – savannah, waterways, and landscapes shaped for incredible wildlife encounters. Later, you’ll head out for an evening game drive, searching for animals active during this time and enjoying the dramatic shift from forest experiences to open-country safari life. Overnight in/near Queen Elizabeth.
Day 15: Morning Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Day 15 combines two of Queen Elizabeth’s most popular experiences. First is a morning game drive, when animals are often easier to spot and morning light brings crisp viewing opportunities. Afterward, you’ll enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel—watching wildlife gather near the waterline and experiencing the channel’s scenery from a unique perspective. It’s a slower, more atmospheric segment of the safari and a chance to enjoy animals in a different setting. Overnight in Queen Elizabeth.
Day 16: Ishasha Sector and Transfer to Bwindi
Today you’ll head to the Ishasha Sector, known for special wildlife sightings and dramatic landscapes. As you explore the area, you’ll be searching for the region’s unique attractions and enjoying the “farther from the crowds” feeling of this sector. Later, you’ll transfer to Bwindi, the gateway to gorilla habitat. The day ends with arrival in Bwindi and time to rest, prepare, and settle in for gorilla trekking tomorrow. Overnight in Bwindi area.
Day 17: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Gorilla trekking is the centerpiece of Day 17. After briefing and the trek into Bwindi’s dense forest, your group will search for the gorillas – once found, the encounter is intense, emotional, and deeply memorable. Following the trek, you’ll transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, where the landscape shifts to calm hills and beautiful lake views. The evening is designed for relaxation and reflection – an ideal way to decompress after the gorilla experience. Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 18: Transfer to Entebbe or Kigali and Departure
On your final day, you’ll transfer to Entebbe or Kigali (Rwanda), depending on your departure arrangements. This day focuses on comfortable travel to the airport and a smooth end to your journey. Before departure, you’ll have time to wrap up, review highlights, and prepare for your flight home – carrying memories from Kilimanjaro to Serengeti to Uganda’s primate and gorilla experiences. This marks the end of your 18 Days Tanzania and Uganda Safari.
